WEATHER IN LINCOLN COUNTY

We appreciate the council’s recognition of the importance of crafting a Climate Crisis Action Plan and pledging $10,000 toward that effort. A proposal will be forth coming explaining the need and use of that money.

Apparently there are some questions concerning the money. This is good and as it should be when it comes to the accountability of spending public funds. After our proposal is accepted, there will be an over-sight committee formed to monitor spending. We encourage those with concerns to volunteer for it.

Moving forward with the development of the action plan and the education of our citizenry about it will necessitate expenditures. This, certainly, isn’t to diminish the volunteer effort needed which we hope will continue to grow vigorously. In fact, we expect most of the time and labor put into the action plan to be produced by volunteers. However, there are foreseeable costs which will be outlined in the proposal. It would be good to have our proposal formally presented to the Council soon, perhaps by the next city council meeting?

The $10,000 are to remain within the city’s own books and is not a blank check given to 350 Oregon Central Coast, Citizen’s Climate Lobby or any other group that maybe working on this project. Not one penny will be spent until the approval of the oversight committee. We imagine this to be a county-wide emergency effort where all the citizens are the stake holders. The expectation is therefore that each municipality in Lincoln County contributes their fair share along with Newport.

All perspectives are invited to sit at the table as the Lincoln County Climate Action Plan is developed. This would include, but is not limited to, the business and private sectors, environmental groups, industry, public bureaucracies, Native populations, schools and colleges and ordinary citizens who want to help leave a livable, healthy and vibrant Earth to future generations.

Parties interested in being on the mailing list of The Lincoln County Climate Change Partnership should send their email information to clmiller@co.lincoln.or.usRespectfully,350 Oregon Central Coast and Citizen’s Climate Lobby